The Colts brought in a former Miami Dolphins running back before the team hosts their old AFC East rival this weekend.
The Indianapolis Colts announced on Wednesday that the team has signed former Miami Dolphins running back Salvon Ahmed to the practice squad and waived rookie placekicker Spencer Shrader in a corresponding roster move:
We have signed RB Salvon Ahmed to the practice squad and released K Spencer Shrader from the practice squad.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 16, 2024
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers, the 5’11,” 197 pound running back is most known for his prior tenure with the Dolphins (2020-23)—having also had a brief practice squad stint with the Denver Broncos (2024) earlier this month.
Ahmed has 163 carries for 593 total rushing yards (3.6 ypc. avg.) and 5 rushing touchdowns during 38 career games (4 starts).
Of course, if you’re a Colts fan, you have to wonder whether Ahmed’s roster addition could be a precursor to star workhorse Jonathan Taylor (ankle) missing another game for Indianapolis—which would be his third consecutive game inactive. For what it’s worth, Taylor did not practice on Wednesday, but he remains optimistic that he’ll return soon.
Not entirely through the fault of their own—as the Colts were also missing dual-threat starting quarterback Anthony Richardson and two starting interior offensive linemen, the Colts backfield collectively struggled last week. Specifically, Trey Sermon averaged just 1.6 yards per carry on 18 carries, while if you exclude Tyler Goodson’s 33-yard long run, he averaged 2.57 yards respectively on his other 7 carries during last Sunday’s road win.
Perhaps Ahmed could be activated as a change-of-pace back and potential shot in the arm. If nothing else, he should have some familiarity with the Dolphins offensive playbook and scheme as the Colts host the Dolphins this weekend.
From that sense, there’s some gamesmanship being deployed by Indianapolis.
